stores in major u.s. cities this month. polo sandoval joins me now. polo, this is something that s deeply frustrating to retailers. what are you hearing? reporter: yeah. and the big question is having maybe impact on sales, kaitlan. i can tell you across the country it is not, when you consider numbers released by industry experts showing roughly 158 million americans will do holiday shopping from thanksgiving up to this monday. 60% of those sales done in person. w why? there s lingering concern of supply chain disruptions, the big worry from shoppers that they may not be able to get that gift in time. that s why you see shoppers across the country including on fifth avenue, a lot of shoppers trying to make sure they get those gifts. when we heard from head of national retail federation yesterday, he does seem to be confident that a lot of bigger
robberies having on workers and shoppers? reporter: many are these broad daylight smash and grabs that end up in scary moments for everyone. it s not lost on investigators that what was stolen in home depot were many of the tools that these individuals are using for the smash and grabs. across the country authorities are on a higher alert, increasing their numbers especially in california and the san francisco bay area where police are increasing their presence there. whether it s having an impact on shoppers, really look at fifth avenue right now. there s no shortage of foot traffic. stores are packed. then you also look at the numbers that are coming from some of the industry experts showing they re going to be roughly 158 million shoppers
reopen later this morning. alison kosik is live in herald square in new york. allison, what are we expecting today? reporter: good morning, brianna. you know, it s feeling pretty festive at the macy s here in herald square. the windows are all em blazoned in lights and holiday themes. an hour ago macy s opened to a crowd of dozens waiting to get in. despite the fact that prices are rising at the fastest pace in 30 years, consumers are shopping like crazy. the national retail federation expects that consumers are going to go ahead and break records this holiday season, spending anywhere between 843 to $859 billion by the end of the shopping season. today is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. 158 million people expected to shop. just today, 108 million expected
into those hiccups, having an immediate alternate option to consider. again, a lot of people are telling us, patience is key. they also say what they re seeing is less deals than they expect this weekend in previous years past and they re saying that other customers should watch out for, too, listen. like today we went out with people this morning and they were like, those items we re looking for, they re not in stock. they have to look for them online and online, they re out of stock. and in-person pricing this year, it s not going to be as much due to the fact that everything s increased and are you not saving as much, which is quite sad. but you got to do what you got to do. the national retail federation says they expect some 158 million people to shop this weekend. speaking with the general manager at this mall. she said she thinks the supply chain issues will actually help
more on the big expectations for black friday. it s beginning to look a lot like 2019. tonight, shop owners across the country are getting ready to welcome more than 158 million shoppers just this holiday weekend. i m up 100% in sales from 2019. reporter: maryam al hammami says that s despite product shortages and price hikes fueled by price chain snarls. the b barbie is $48.99 today and would have been 39.99 last year. reporter: biggest competition this season gas prices because they re already spending 20% more to get to my store. reporter: analysts say a combination of job growth, stimulus checks and monthly child tax credits are helping consumers in the highest inflation in three decades. prices are high but people don t seem to really bother with